An investigation has been launched after surgeons removed the wrong part of a
patient's lung, apparently because her medical notes had been filled out
incorrectly.

The operation, which was conducted at Basildon Hospital in Essex in December, saw surgeons remove the bottom section of the female patient's lung despite needing to remove the top.

The serious error, known as "wrong site surgery", has been blamed on a mistake in the female patient's medical notes that originated at another hospital, Broomfield in Chelmsford. The woman survived the operation.

A hospital source, who refused to be named, said: "It appears the medical notes that came with the patient from Broomfield had been filled out incorrectly and showed the wrong area of lung to be operated on.

"Afterwards Broomfield said that was the wrong area. It appears the mistake was made at Broomfield, but the investigation will have to look at whether this should have been picked up at Basildon."

Dr Steve Morgan, medical director at Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "In December there was an incident of wrong site surgery. External reviews are taking place into that serious incident.

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"No one has been suspended and the nature of the incident is rather complex."

A spokesman for Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, said: "The trust is aware of this incident and, in line with its internal safety and governance policies, a full investigation is being carried out.

"It will review its internal clinical procedures after this investigation."